Something Wicked In Our Midst

*Something Wicked Brewing Co, Photos copyright © Andrew T. Smith, 2022.*

At seven years in age, Hanover's Something Wicked Brewing Company is no longer the new kid on the block, both figuratively and literally. The town's microbrewery community has grown alongside this business.

The business's location has always been a social hub in the community, having once housed the local Moose Lodge and later the Manor Social Club. But then problems arose, with seven years sitting vacant and significant vandalism, including the theft of much of the copper in the facility.

After the building was purchased, six friends who were known to enjoy homebrewing decided to start a small business and began the long process of preparing a section of one of the floors. Whenever possible during the initial and subsequent work, doing as much of the labor themselves as possible. Something Wicked Brewing Co came to be with a soft opening from May 20th to 22nd, 2015. (Local artists helped enliven the appeal with their works by creating the Wicked Walls & Halls — murals with artist bios.) Taproom Manager Jonathan Sanders has been with the business for the past five years and is almost always visible during open hours.

While Something Wicked opened with a one-barrel system, they now operate with the addition of a three-vessel system. The sixteen taps offer a variety of choices, often including three favorites, Sinful IPA, Charity blonde ale, and Chaos, a chocolate coconut stout. (A pickle beer was a less successful attempt; while a few loved it, it wasn't a hit.)

The roughly 180-200 members of the Saints and Sinners Society receive a free 12-ounce beer each week and a discount on food and merchandise.

As popularity grew, so did the need for additional food offerings, and a kitchen expansion began in October 2019. Obvious timing challenges arose with the onset of COVID-19 restrictions, but by September 2021, a more extensive food selection was in place.

Offerings vary but may include burgers, salads, deviled eggs, tacos, paninis, and more. Quality ingredients such as meats from Gettysburg's Farmstead Butcher and desserts like cupcakes from Littlestown's Cakes by Susie can often be found.

Live music is found regularly on Fridays & Saturdays, and a trivia night is held Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30. The Second Saturday Bloody Mary Brunches are extremely popular with multiple seatings. Readers may find events listed here.

Something Wicked is integrated with its community, participating in events like the Sip and Strolls, downtown Christmas tree decorating, or Brewery Olympics and collaborative beers are a regular happening with other local microbreweries.

Something Wicked is open Wednesday through Saturday, with new noontime hours on the weekends. Other popular microbreweries are right nearby and offer an easy walk for more exploring.